Why Maharashtra families choose online coaching
Maharashtra combines large, busy metros with regional cities and widely spread districts. Its school-age chess community includes casual learners as well as children who regularly seek over-the-board competition.
Online coaching removes difficult evening travel in the larger cities and makes the same teaching available beyond them. Children attend from home in a small live group or individually, with no change of coach from week to week.
What's included
- ✓ Experienced coaches, same coach every week
- ✓ Small batches (max 6) or one-to-one
- ✓ Weekly WhatsApp progress report
- ✓ From ₹375 per class · Full refund within 48 hours (monthly plans)
Age-group chess in Maharashtra, from MCA to first selection
Junior chess in Maharashtra is governed by the Maharashtra Chess Association, the AICF-affiliated apex body formed in 1963 when the Bombay Chess Association and Southern Maratha Country Chess Association merged. MCA's 2026 calendar listed the Under 7 Open and Girls selection in Pune on 30-31 May and the Under 9 selection in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on 2-3 June. MCA also describes its Chess in School programme, started in 2012, as running in 25 districts.
Who runs junior chess here
Events a child from Maharashtra can enter
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h2e Power Systems Maharashtra State Under 7 Open and Girls Selection Chess Championship
Was listed for 30-31 May 2026 · Pune
The 2026 MCA calendar identified Open and Girls sections for the Under 7 state selection in Pune. [3]
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h2e Power Systems Maharashtra State Under 9 Open and Girls Selection Chess Championship
Was listed for 2-3 June 2026 · Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
MCA recorded the Under 9 Open and Girls selection in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar for June 2026. [3]
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h2e Power Systems Maharashtra State Under 13 Open and Girls FIDE Rating Selection Chess Championship
Was listed for 5-7 June 2026 · Solapur
The circular for this championship said it was held under AICF and MCA and was the selection event for the National U-13 Chess Championship 2026. [3][4]
Where to play
- Kothrud. AICF records the Maharashtra Chess Association as based in Kothrud, Pune. [2]
Players from Maharashtra
From online class to a first tournament
- Check the chosen event's registration rules with its organiser, remembering that AICF registration runs from 1 April to 31 March of the accounting year.
- Use MCA's calendar to look for age-group notices, then read the relevant circular and confirm your child's eligibility before planning an entry.
- Ask the school whether it has joined MCA's Chess in School programme, which MCA says began in 2012 and runs in 25 districts.
- Play one slow complete game online each week at a fixed time, then repeat it on a physical board with a clock before travelling to a selection.
Good to know
- AICF states that new player registration and renewal are valid from 1 April to 31 March of the accounting year.
- The Under 13 state-selection circular required every participant to be registered with AICF and MCA for 2026-27 before being paired.
Sources (checked 2026-09-28)
- [1] About MCA – MCA
- [2] Affiliates – All India Chess Federation
- [3] Chess Calendar – MCA
- [4] Maharashtra State Selection U-13 Open & Girls FIDE Rating Chess Championship 2026
- [5] Player media kit
- [6] Office Bearers – MCA
- [7] FIDE report on the 2025 Women's World Cup
- [8] AICF Payments – All India Chess Federation
- [9] Chess In School – MCA
Cities we teach across Maharashtra
- Chess classes in Mumbai
- Chess classes in Pune
- Chess classes in Nagpur
- Chess classes in Nashik
- Chess classes in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad)
- Chess classes in Solapur
- Chess classes in Kolhapur
- Chess classes in Thane
- Chess classes in Navi Mumbai
- Chess classes in Amravati
- Chess classes in Nanded
- Chess classes in Sangli
- Chess classes in Akola
- Chess classes in Latur
- Chess classes in Ahmednagar
- Chess classes in Jalgaon
- Chess classes in Dhule
- Chess classes in Chandrapur
- Chess classes in Satara
- Chess classes in Ratnagiri
What Maharashtra parents pay, exactly
| Format | Price | Billing basis |
|---|---|---|
| Group (batches of six) | ₹375 Per student | Session packs |
| Two-on-One | ₹550 Per student | Session packs |
| One-to-One (1:1) | ₹1,000 Per session | Session packs |
Starter pack ₹2,500 for 8 classes · Pause for exams and keep your sessions. See full courses & fees →
Written reviews from parents
Two parent reviews for this page, with a Maharashtra-tagged record first when the source has one.
★★★★★
Honestly, I was skeptical about online chess coaching.
“Aadvik hated sitting still for anything, and I thought a Zoom class would last two weeks max. It's been six months. Last Sunday his class teacher called just to ask what changed — his attention in maths has jumped. He now does his puzzles before I'm up. Coach Arjun has the patience I don't.”
Rupali Sharma
Mother of Aadvik (9) · Lucknow
March 2026
★★★★★
She used to cry after every loss. Not anymore.
“Anika was playing 'casually' on chess.com and hanging pieces every game. First month the coach just drilled Checks-Captures-Threats. The dashboard is what sold me though. I don't know chess, but I can see exactly what she covered each week. Her play sharpened on its own by week eight.”
Monika Iyer
Mother of Anika (11) · Kanpur
February 2026
Google reviews from ChessWize parents
Google rating 5.0 from 21 reviews; the stored set was pulled 2026-07-08.
manasa
June 2026
★★★★★
It was a great platform for kids and learners.. teaching concepts and making them to think and play..Ankit rajoriya sir was excellent in teaching makes children in comfort zone by funy way and he starts teaching .that is the way children can engage whole time..
Read on Google →Chess for kids in Maharashtra
Maharashtra has an established chess culture supported by schools, local organisers, and the state chess association. Coaching can provide the weekly structure, while in-person events give children separate experience with boards, clocks, and playing conditions. The state has an established competitive circuit under the Maharashtra Chess Association (affiliated to the AICF, formed in 1963), and produced GM Vidit Gujrathi of Nashik and GM Divya Deshmukh of Nagpur, winner of the 2025 FIDE Women's World Cup. Mumbai's World Trade Centre hosts the Mumbai International Chess Tournament, organised by the Indian Chess School.
See every class, not just the fee
Every ChessWize class runs on ChessCore, so you always know what your child is learning.
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Your own parent dashboard
A private page for each child: next class, attendance, homework and progress, in one place.
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Progress you can read
Puzzle accuracy and a rating trend once your child has played enough games, explained in plain words.
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Notes from the coach
After classes the coach shares what your child worked on and what to practise next.
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Attendance and makeups
Every class is logged. If your child misses one, you can see the makeup credit and book it yourself.
No screen recording, keystroke logging or device-location access · classes recorded only with your consent. How we handle your child’s data →
Online chess classes in Maharashtra: common questions
Who is the official state body for junior chess in Maharashtra?
The Maharashtra Chess Association is the AICF-affiliated apex body. It traces its formation to 1963, when the Bombay Chess Association and Southern Maratha Country Chess Association merged. AICF also records MCA as a member affiliate based in Kothrud, Pune. Use MCA's calendar and circulars, not informal social posts, when you need dates and eligibility.
Does a Maharashtra state selection send a child to a national championship?
The Under 13 circular is a clear example: it said the championship was held under AICF and MCA and would serve as the selection event for the National U-13 Chess Championship 2026. Ask MCA for the notice covering the age group you are considering. Read the notice for the section your child would enter rather than assuming every state event works the same way.
What registration rule applied to the 2026 Under-13 state selection?
For the 2026 Under-13 selection, the circular required AICF and MCA registration for 2026-27 before pairing. AICF's published registration period runs from 1 April to 31 March of the accounting year. Treat the selection rule as specific to that edition, and check the circular for any later event before completing the required registrations.
How much is live online chess coaching in Maharashtra?
Fees start from ₹375 per class for children aged 5–15. The options are live 1:1 lessons or groups limited to six, taught in English or Hindi by the same coach each week. Parents receive a weekly WhatsApp report. The first 30-minute demo is free and needs no payment. Monthly plans: full refund within 48 hours of enrolling, then a pro-rated refund minus sessions attended before the third session. After the third session, no refund for the current billing period; cancel to stop future charges. Term packages (3 or 6 months): pro-rated refund minus sessions attended within 7 days of enrolling. After 7 days, no refund; remaining sessions can be completed within the term.
Do you have an offline ChessWize academy in Mumbai, Pune, or elsewhere in Maharashtra?
No. ChessWize teaches live online only and does not run a physical centre anywhere in Maharashtra. The coach is present throughout the lesson and reviews the child’s decisions in real time. This can be easier than a weekday trip across Mumbai or Pune, while local weekend events can still provide face-to-face tournament experience.
How can online lessons fit Maharashtra school and tournament schedules?
A regular online slot removes travel time, which helps during busy school weeks in large cities and regional centres. The same coach can review games played at school or local events and set suitable practice for the next week. Parents receive the WhatsApp summary, so they do not have to guess what happened during class.